13-11-15 ... 13-10-10 ... Nathan Starr 1816 Pattern Musket dated 1830, with an arsenal percussion conversion. Few American arms makers are better known than Starr, who had a wide variety of US contracts for muskets, pistols, sabers, and cutlasses over a long period. Here is a solid example of his 1816 Pattern Type 3 flintlock with the “cone-in-barrel” or “Belgian” style conversion favored by US arsenals. Starr made some 15,000 of these muskets between 1829 and 1840. This is one of the earliest versions, second year, and bears the 8-pointed star or floral motif at rear of the lock behind “MIDDtn/ CONN/1830.” Forward of the hammer is the standard small US over a sunburst and N. Starr. The lower portion of the sunburst and the Starr name are rubbed as is often the case when the arsenal ground down the brass flash pan and added a military percussion hammer. The US mark is sharp. Clear eagle head and sunken “P” proofmarks on the left barrel near breach. Good strong edges on wood around lock and a good butt stock and fore stock. Some wood dings opposite the lock, very minor chips to edge of triggerguard tang on underside and a carved letter “H” from a previous owner or soldier. Lock plate shows cloudy gray of faded case color, barrel is dull silver with rising brown areas, but smooth overall with just a couple of corrosion dimples near the nipple from firing. Correct swivels, ramrod, barrel bands and springs, mechanics good. After the percussion system was adopted by the U.S. government flintlock arms held by arsenals were divided into classes by age and condition and the newest and best condition guns were converted to the new system by several methods. The cone-in-barrel style was the one favored by the arsenals. These became the weapons issued to volunteers in the early years of the Civil War as the army expanded and new production could not keep up. This gun has surely seen some good history, a pre-Alamo and Seminole War musket that later found its way into the ranks of the north or south, in 1861. Very good to near fine condition. 100% original, 100% complete, and mechanically perfect. A very affordable musket from America’s early days ... $975.00

13-11-30 ... 13-09-58 ... Special Model 1861 Colt Rifle Musket with Rare Amoskeag Lock: Colt made nearly 100,000 of these special models for the US government and various state contracts. He was ahead of US arsenal developments in several innovations: the contoured hammer profile, lack of bolster cleanout screw, and the use of split friction- bands with tension screws (eliminating band springs). Only Colt, Amoskeag, and Lamson, Goodnow and Yale produced this Special Model pattern and their parts are interchangeable as are most CW contract muskets. In this case at some point an Amoskeag lock was placed in the stock. Whether this occurred in 1864 or 1964 I do not know. I considered switching locks with a Colt pattern but it looks like the Amoskeag lock has been in there a long, long time. I will leave it to the next owner to decide whether to keep the current lock or to swap it out for a Colt lock. The 1863 date and Amoskeag marks are crisp, as is the eagle above on the bolster. The barrel shows an 1862 barrel date on top, Colt style VP proof on the left flat, and a New Jersey “NJ” barrel stamp on the left, along with the Colt marking of “Steel” on the barrel. These guns were finished “in the bright” and this one has just few small brown spots on the butt plate tang and inside of the hammer along with some very light flash peppering from firing on the hammer and around the nipple. Wood is very good, lightly cleaned at some point, partial NJ cartouche still visible in the wood. Mechanically excellent, great bore, original rod, swivels, type-II rear sight, etc.
A solid Special Model 1861 musket priced friendly at ... $1,950.00 - SOLD

13-11-31 ... 13-09-77: Extremely Scarce M-1855 Harpers Ferry “Patchbox” Rifle Musket: Among the Holy Grails of Civil War longarms are these Harpers Ferry ’55 rifle muskets with the Maynard tape primer system. The reason being ... this is the arm that was on hand when the Confederates captured the arsenal in 1861, and many, if not most of them, wound up in the hands of the Johnny Rebs. And those that were not captured by the rebs had likely been issued to US Regulars who were already in the field when the war broke out. The Springfield examples are very desirable, the Harpers Ferry examples are ultra desirable. This gun is totally original and complete and is also mechanically perfect. Metal is overall gun-metal grey with vivid sharp markings and some age staining and areas of light pitting. The lock date and barrel date are matched “1859 Stock edges are very good++ and “JS” cartouche is partially visible. The rear sight is the proper short range pattern found on the “patchbox models” of the ’55. The bore is about VG. This is a totally original and honest Harpers Ferry ’55. It is 100% original, 100% complete, and mechanically perfect. Proper in every way for an early war Confederate display. ... $3850.00

13-11-32 ... 13-09-05 ... Lamson, Goodnow and Yale Special Model 1861 Rifle Musket. These Special Model 1861 rifle-muskets were very similar to the 1863 Springfields and were produced only by Colt, Lamson Goodnow & Yale, and Amoskeag. The hammer configuration is the most obvious change like a 63 style, and the use of split barrel bands without springs are likewise as on the 63 Springfields. The lock is clearly marked US over L.G.&Y. over Windsor Vt. forward of the hammer and 1863 to the rear. Eagle on bolster. Barrel has clear VP/eagle proofs on left barrel flat and clear 1864 date on top of barrel near breach indicating assembly in early 1864 using a lock plate made at the end of 1863 (one year differences in date stampings are totally acceptabled, a plate made in December 1863, can be assembled with a barrel made in January 1864… unlike a two year spread in dates where “Lucy might have some ‘splainin to do”. Wood rates vg+ with no chips, dings or splits, just some rounding of edges from handling and use. Cartouches are still visible on the offside. Very slight shrinkage at edge of buttplate tang. These were finished “in the bright” and the smooth metal retains a lot of it below some surface brown spots. 100% proper with correct second type rear sight, original front sight firmly in place, correct barrel bands, swivels, and correct ramrod. Lockplate and hammer show signs of case color that has shifted toward a smoky hue. Mechanically perfect, VG bore. This is a nice midwar gun in very good condition and a variant ... $1,550.00

13-11-33 ... 13-03-01 - Extra Fine - High Finish - Engraved - Belgian Transition Revolver: From the standpoint of condition, quality, and form … this is one of the finest guns I have owned. When I found it for sale while visiting in Colorado I couldn’t get my wallet open fast enough. The 6.5 inch barrel exhibits 98% vivid factory blue. The cylinder has nearly that much just showing slightly more wear. The silvered frame, trigger guard, back strap, and butt strap are magnificently hand engraved with floral and foliate scrolls. There is even a bunch of apples or peaches engraved on the left frame. Bore is roughly .40 caliber or so… Right side of barrel lug signed “T.L. Hoist / Brevette / Cheratte” These “transition revolvers” are so named because they are a transition in arms technology from the pepperbox design to the modern revolver design. There are dozens of variations on them, usually English and western European. This has the frame, and mechanical design of a pepperbox, but the hammer, grip, cylinder and barrel are like the early style Colts. This is roughly the size of a Colt Navy revolver. Top shelf in all respects.
A truly high quality antique arm ... $2,850.00

13-11-14 ... 13-09-71 ... 13-09-71 ... Confederate Richmond Rifle Musket: The real deal --- a totally honest “Richmond” that is 100% “Richmond” from muzzle to butt plate… except for the crude ramrod which is either a CS replacement or a hillbilly replacement. This old war horse shows plenty of wear and use… but no abuse and no modern repairs or cobbles. Has proper brass butt plate, brass nose cap, straight ramrod channel, etc… etc… etc… The lock is marked 1862 behind the hammer and CS Richmond Va. ahead of the hammer. The rear sight is the proper Richmond version of the 1855 short range pattern and it has been slightly shortened along the front (forward) end. The barrel proofs are visible but worn. The barrel date is completely worn away. All steel surfaces are a mixture of gun-metal grey and smoky patina with light rust pitting over 60%. The stock shows plenty of handling and wear. It is full length, unbroken, and unaltered. Both sling swivels are present. The bore is good with decent well-worn rifling. I would judge this musket to have been produced late in 1862 due to the fact that ALL the parts are Richmond made, with no US “leftovers” in the recipe. Early Richmonds utilized captured US parts from Harpers Ferry. Later war Richmonds utilized US parts captured from prisoners guns or picked up off battlefields. It is the mid-war Richmonds that are most desirable as they are generally “purer” Richmond. If you are looking for a REAL RICHMOND RIFLE MUSKET ... here she is ... $6,800.00

Quality 18th Century Mediterranean Pirate Pistol: High Large – roughly 19 inches overall - full stock flintlock pistol. Circa 1750 or earlier. Has beautifully relief carved stock. Nose cap is a wonderful piece of elephant ivory carved with horizontal flutes. The trigger guard and butt cap are deeply chiseled and engraved in the deepest and highest quality. The twelve inch barrel shows worn hand engraved decorations near the breech that were certainly gold inlaid when the gun was new. The lines and form of this marvelous ancient pistol show that it hails from the eastern Mediterranean area into the Islamic regions. It is immeasurably higher quality than the common middle eastern junque we usually see. A truly high quality antique firearm in fine condition, exhibiting top end craftsmanship. ... $1,250.00

#150 - Extremely Rare Model 1841 US Cadet Musket – This is one of the true RARITIES in the field of American Arms Collecting. Only 450 of these .57 caliber cadet muskets were made with barrel lengths of 40 inches, 34 inches, or 31 inches. Flayderman cites 450 produced another source states 506 were made. This is the 34 inch example which is the most aesthetically pleasing of the three lengths. Stamped on the lock is… “(eagle) / US” and also “SPRING / FIELD / 1844”. These look like a miniature M1842 musket but are far more interesting due to the diminutive size. They are smooth bore, and were issued to the US Corps of Cadets at West Point. This gun is overall fine condition with strong stock edges, smooth metal surfaces with lovely age brown patina, sharp markings, and perfect mechanics. This is 100% original and complete including the ramrod. The barrel is marked… “V / P / (eaglehead)” and also bears the matched date of “1844”. On the stock behind the lockplate a “W”. Rarer by far than most Confederate long arms, and ultra desirable as having been produced at the US Armory at Springfield. Here is an opportunity to acquire a truly rare US musket ... $8950.00

#200 – Presentation 100th New York Infantry Smith & Wesson No. 1 Revolver: – A fine Civil War small size 22 caliber Smith and Wesson personal defense weapon. SN 26503. This model is the 7 shot 22 caliber revolver with a 3 1/4 inch barrel. The barrel has hints of blue, and the brass frame has 80% of the silver finish (thinning). The rosewood grips are fine w/ minimal handling wear. The backstrap is engraved “Presented by Co A to Lieut. Wm L Mayo”. William Mayo has a really interesting Civil War service record. He was commissioned Lieutenant in Co. “A” 100th New York Vols where he served from Sept. 23rd 1861 through May 25th 1863. He was promoted to Captain Oct. 14th 1862, and commanded his company in the terrible Virginia Peninsular Campaign and through their fights in South Carolina. The 100th was initially assigned to Naglee’s 1st brigade, Casey’s 2nd division, 4th corps. It fought hard with McClellan, its losses at Fair Oaks being particularly severe with 176 killed, wounded and missing. Mayo is buried in Parke Cemetery, Wesley, Cattaraugus Co., in the southeastern part of the state.
A superb presentation inscribed revolver in extra fine condition ... $2,395.00

PREVIOUSLY SOLD GREAT ITEMS

#167 - Model 1826 US Navy Flintlock Pistol - This gun has an 8 5/8” barrel, secured with a single barrel band. Caliber .54 and it is estimated that only 3,000 of these were made. The gun has a front sight mounted onto the barrel, and the rear sight is oval shaped andintegrated with the tang. The lock is marked “U.S. / S. NORTH” and behind the hammer is the date “1828”. Opposite the lock, is the original steel belt hook to allow the gun to be attached to a belt. A partial cartouche is visible. The barrel is stamped “US/AH/P”. There is a very minor crack in the stock (left side) about 1 inch long, mentioned only for accuracy’s sake. This was the last model of martial pistol made by Simeon North. These are scarce in general and extremely rare in original flint. I have examined this flintlock carefully. There is no visual indication of alteration or reconversion on the barrel. The touch hole is small and perfectly centered. There is no sign of welding of a closed bolster or nipple hole. The brass pan does show evidence of being repaired or replaced with a replaced screw clearly evident. This can be seen only when the lock is removed from the gun and viewed from the back. All other lock parts appear untouched. The lines and color are very appealing, the rarity is high, the price very realistic ... $4500.00 SOLD
----------#162 - Rare New York Made 1840s Percussion Pistol by R. S. Clark - A very fine gentleman’s belt pistol with attractive silver mountings. The percussion lock is engraved “R.S. Clark” listed by Sellers as a gun maker in Albany New York. The lock is secured with a single screw. The stock is straight grain walnut, checkered on the grip. The butt cap is finely engraved silver as is the lower ramrod thimble. The trigger guard is finely engraved steel. The escutcheons around the barrel key are silver, the left escutcheon is replaced. The nose cap is silver. The octagon barrel is roughly 50 caliber and is engraved on the top “Fall Proof” ... marked thus because it has a patent breech where the barrel can be lifted out of the channel without having to remove the tang screw. Condition is overall Very Good. There is a replaced sliver of wood along the right side of the stock’s top edge along the channel. There is a sliver of wood missing along this channel on the left side. There is superbly executed hand engraving on the butt cap, trigger guard, lock, hammer, barrel tang, and the breech. It is very finely crafted and solid. In front of the trigger guard, the initials “GV” stamped into the wood. Finding American made pistols of this quality from this time period is quite rare. Here is a very handsome pistol ... $1,150.00 SOLD
----------#140 - “London” Brass Barrel Flintlock - 14 Inch overall measurement with an 8 5/8 brass barrel of about 50 Caliber. Nearly identical in design to the above gun, but a touch more elegant. The lock is somewhat pitted and no markings are obviously legible. The barrel has two large proof marks, and an elegant script “London” engraved on the top of the barrel. The ramrod is original. There is a small sliver of wood missing near the muzzle. and a small crack is present opposite the lock. The brass ramrod thimble is a little banged up. Mechanically perfect, very handsome, and a great early pistol from the days of yore.
Priced easy on the pocketbook ... $1350.00 SOLD
----------#139 - “Jones” Brass Barrel Flintlock Pistol - This large pistol is 15 Inches long with a 9 1/4 inch barrel that measures around 68 Caliber. The lock is marked “Jones” and has no other markings. The hammer and the tang are engraved with a nice floral pattern. The brass barrel is stamped with two proof marks, which appear to be crowns over crossed scepters. There is an oval escutcheon on the back of the grip, and on oval one on the left hand side of the stock, both of which appear original. There are some horizontal cracks in the wood along the inlet channel near the muzzle on both sides of the stock. At the rear of the lock is a small chip with some filler there. The hammer cocks back to the half cock, but does not click into the final full cock position. The ramrod is a replacement, and is only 4 1/2 inches long as opposed to the 8 or so inches it should be. Great eye appeal ... Circa 1825 $975.00 SOLD
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#135 - P53 Enfield w/ R.T. Pritchett Signed Lock – A good scarce CW Enfield signed by Pritchett. R. T. Pritchett was a noted member of the London Arms Trade and is remembered for his experi­mentation in rifling systems in the early 1850’s. Together with W.E. Metford he designed the bullet adopted by the army for the P53 Enfield, named the Pritchett bullet. This gun is fresh to the market from a garage sale picker in Michigan. This gun has no CS markings but really does whistle Dixie when you look at it. It is missing the ramrod, has a replaced hammer that looks confederate, missing the rear sling swivel, and has a severe crack from the wrist to the butt, and another couple cracks near the tang. The long range rear sight is missing the elevation adjuster but is otherwise complete. The gun does not cock and fire but I will leave that repair for you. The bore is exceptionally nice for a gun that shows all the rigors of war. A great old well-used Enfield, with likely CSA connection ... $895.00 SOLD----------#134 - Liege F & T 1861 Musket - This imported musket is marked on the lock plate “LIEGE / F & T/ 1861” and also a crown over “H” and is marked on the barrel “ELG”, “S”, and “FT”. This is the firm of Falisse and Trapman in Belgium which produced these 1842 French style muskets so heavily used by both Union and Confederate troops. The left-hand side of the stock near the butt is marked in a few locations with more letters, but they are kind of hard to make out. The slotted screws are all market with an H proof mark. The barrel is 40 1/2 inches long, and is a large caliber with a smooth bore. There is a bayonet lug present on the underside of the barrel. The ramrod is present, and is of a tapered style. The trigger guard plate has two ribs as part of its design. This gun was made as a percussion gun, and is missing the nipple. One of the nicest examples I have owned in quite a while ... $795.00 SOLD
----------#130 - Spencer Rifle - Serial number 3173. The first Spencers were rifles, not carbines, but were issued nonetheless to mounted unites like Custer’s Michigan Brigade and Wilder’s Lightning Brigade. This is the standard early army model rifle of .52 caliber with 6 groove rifling, and the bore is clean with strong grooves. These guns have a nice long 30” barrel, and function just like the carbines do, with a tube of ammunition that loads into the butt of the rifle. This gun has a bit of case color on the right side of the receiver, and the rest of the metal has a smooth chocolate finish. The wood is very good in the butt stock, and good in the fore stock. Just in front of the receiver on the left, you can see where a piece of wood came off. This area has the same appearance as the rest of the gun, and it is likely that this happened in the early part of this guns life. The front sling swivel may be a replacement, and the screw that holds the hammer on, has had the head broken off. It is adhered in place now ... $2,950.00 SOLD
----------12-12-12 - Minty 1819 Hall Conversion Rifle by Harpers Ferry with Sling: Near Mint example of the famed Hall breech loading Model 1819. Converted to percussion. Superb condition. Stock is near perfect with razor sharp edges and raised grain. There are just a handful of minor handling dings here and there. The barrel and bands retain 95% vivid arsenal lacquer brown finish. The breech block is marked “J H Hall / H. Ferry / US / 1834” and it retains generous amounts of the original case hardened color. Top notch condition in all respects. Most interesting aspect to this is the original CW rifle sling in fine condition that accompanies this rifle. It did not come with the rifle but was added by the previous collector who found it years ago marked as a “Hall Rifle Sling”. When he asked the seller why he thought the sling was connected to a Hall, the seller showed him a cut-out in the leather. On this sling and obviously from its period of use there is a rectangular cut-out spot which accommodates the lever release catch forward of the trigger on a Hall rifle. No doubt about it, this sling had been used with a Hall. That clinched the sale, and the previous owner added this wonderful Hall-used sling to his superb 1819 rifle. Really cool --- the sling was definitely used with a Hall rifle during the Civil War, and in my opinion has a value of at least three or four hundred dollars. An investment grade example with a very rare sling ... $3400.00 SOLD
----------12-11-20 - Extra Fine, High Finish, Springfield Refurbished 1860 Spencer Army rifle! Only 1215 of these rifles were refurbished at our National Arsenal and this one not only has 80% of the arsenal reblue present, but the serial number is just one number off a known Wilder’s Brigade gun! Very scarce Civil War Model 1860 army rifle that was kept in the service and sent to Springfield Arsenal to have a Stabler Cut-Off added and be resleeved to .50 cal. rimfire with a three groove bore. This retains very clear “Spencer Repeating Rifle Co. Boston. Mass. Pat’d March 6, 1860” marks at breech and the clear low serial number of 5380 on the wrist. I don’t know whether I like this gun better because of the nice wood, excellent 80% barrel blue and visible case colors on the receiver, or because it is so close to a known Wilder’s gun. Wilder’s Spencers all saw heavy saddle wear and those we find that went home with members of the Lightning Brigade show heavy use bordering on abuse. The wood on those guns looks almost like an Indian carried gun. Those rifles that were returned to the army and sent to Springfield are the few that now survive in fine condition. This has fine wood and is mechanically perfect. 100% original and 100% complete as refurbished ca 1867. The history of the Spencer is too well known among collectors to need repeating and Wilder’s brigade is probably the unit most famous for carrying them (I think he even edges out Custer’s Michigan Troopers.) Finding a Spencer with any sort of condition is very special. When these were sent to Springfield at the end of the war they were given new lined bores with three groove rifling, they had the ejector port area of the frame filed to a rounded contour on the edges, were given new stocks, and most were fit with a Stabler cut-off device. The Stabler device was a simple mechanical turn key that prevented a fresh cartridge from loading into the chamber after the soldier fired and ejected a round. This was not an option on the first guns. The Stabler device let the soldier fire the gun as a single-shot and keep the magazine in reserve. This is an exceedingly handsome example of a wartime Spencer rifle that was likely carried in the Lightning Brigade,
and that still retains its 1867 Arsenal finish ... $3,450.00 SOLD
----------12-10-19 - Investment Grade Model 1819 Hall Rifle Converted to Percussion in NRA “Excellent” Condition: Extremely fine condition retaining 95% original lacquer brown finish on the barrel and frame, and having “minty” stock with very sharp edges and showing only minimal handling wear. Slight wear on the finish near the muzzle. A top notch example in anyone’s book. The breech block is stamped “J.H. Hall / H. Ferry / U.S. / 1832” showing this to be part of the second production run of these interesting breech loading rifles. 52 caliber with an excellent bore.
You would be hard pressed to find a better example ... $3,250.00 SOLD
---------- 13-09-63 ... Model 1863 Type-1 Springfield Rifle Musket: A good solid example of the Standard ‘63 Springfield produced during the middle of the Civil War. This gun is the model with rounded barrel bands secured with friction screws under each band. It was made only during 1863. Condition is about good to near VG. Metal is overall grey steel, moderately pitted, showing some cleaning, but having good strong markings. Both the barrel and lock are match dated 1863. Cartouches are worn away. Ramrod is a modern replacement as are the sight leaves, otherwise all original and complete. (The rear sight is original, just the leaves are replaced.) Mechanically perfect. Bore is good but shows wear.
A very affordable CW musket ... $1,050.00 SOLD